International Young Conservationist Award

The International Young Conservationist Award is a joint initiative of the International Ranger Federation (IRF) and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature - World Commission on Protected Areas (IUCN/ WCPA). It was established in 2003 and has been presented four times.

The International Young Conservationist Award aims to recognise and raise awareness of the outstanding contributions made by young people to the conservation of protected areas; it honours their efforts and their passion, dedication and commitment. It also seeks to encourage young professionals and, by presenting the award at a global conservation event, provides them with an opportunity to develop networks to enable them to further enhance their efforts. Recipients of the award are invited to join the IUCN WCPA Young Professionals Group and are invited to be on the IRF’s mailing list.

Nominations are invited on behalf of young professionals (under the age of 35) actively working to protect and manage protected areas, including rangers, interpreters, people working with local communities, and scientists. It may include people working for government agencies, the private sector, non-government organisations, and local communities.

The young professional must have made an outstanding contribution to the management of protected areas through either a sustained ongoing commitment or a single event. They can be working at a local, regional, national, or international level.

In particular their work must show -

1. Extraordinary dedication to protected areas, and/or

2. Passion and commitment, and/or

3. An innovative approach to protected area management, and/or

4. Self-sacrifice (time, costs, physical bravery, etc.)

Who can nominate?

Nominations are encouraged from individuals who are familiar with the accomplishments of the nominee. The nominee may also self nominate with strong letters of recommendation.

2. the impacts of the nominee’s efforts in the management of protected areas? In particular describe the scale, extent, magnitude and impact of their contribution;

3. what makes the nominee’s work innovative; and

4. the challenges the nominee has faced in their work

Nominations are to be submitted in English. If you require assistance with this, please contact the YCA Committee at yca2012@gmail.com.

Timing

The Call for Nominations closes on 7 May 2012. The recipient will be selected by 18 June 2012 and notified as soon as possible following selection.

Who selects the winner and how are they selected?

Nominations will be shortlisted by the Young Conservationist Award (YCA) Committee; this Committee consists of representatives of the IRF and IUCN/WCPA. The President of the IRF, the Chair of IUCN/WCPA and the Chair of the YCA Committee select the recipient. The recipient is selected based on their responses to the questions on the nomination form and the testimony provided by the referees.

• The opportunity to showcase their achievements
• International recognition through presentation of the award at the IUCN World Conservation Congress
• All expenses paid trip to the IUCN World Conservation Congress for the award presentation
• International recognition through publicity on IUCN/WCPA, IRF, George Wright Society websites
• The opportunity to establish contacts and develop networks • Membership of the IUCN WCPA (the world’s premier network of protected area experts) and their Young Professionals Group
• IRF/WCPA Young Conservationist Award Plaque and Certificate